Maya Bay closed for tourists from June to October

Maya Bay, the iconic beach of the film “The Beach” by Dany Boyle with Leonardo Di Caprio and two Frenchies Virginie Ledoyen and Guillaume Canet, will be closed to visits this year from June to October.

Maya Bay closed during low season

The head of Haad Nopparatthara Mu Ko Phi-Phi National Park, Sarayuth Tanthien, said that the closure of the bay for tourists, was designed to protect corals damaged by human activities and allow them to rehabilitate and grow.

Human activities and boat engines have degraded the quality of the water in the bay and, therefore, affect the corals.

The exact dates of the closure are not yet known but it should start in June. Agencies and local operators will be informed.

This temporary closure is good decision that was expected. Other places like the Similans Islands are already closing each year during the low season to allow corals and the whole environment to regenerate.

A limitation on the number of daily visitors in Thailand’s national parks to protect them was also under study but for now, no such decision was taken.

Maya Bay overcrowded with tourists

Ao Maya is part of Haad Nopparatthara Mu Ko Phi-Phi National Park. Every day thousands and thousands of tourists visit the place. Its popularity is such that many tourists come back disappointed ending up in such a beautiful place among a huge and compact crowd.

This is the reason why I recommend you to privatize a longtail boat from Koh Phi Phi and leave at dawn to arrive before the tour groups.